Free Cork Festival 'Joy in the Park' promoting mental health awareness returns this July

Joy in the Park, a free festival in partnership with the Cork Mental Health Foundation, will return for its second year on Sunday July 23 at Fitzgerald's Park.

The line-up includes The Frank & Walters, John Spillane, Aoife Scott, Karen Underwood, Pontious Pilate & The Naildrivers, Boolaboom and many more.

Other activities include spoken word performances, children’s entertainment, circus shows, storytelling, arts & crafts, food stalls, wellness activities and a mental health support hub.

Joy In The Park will seek to foster entertainment with connection and understanding. The festival raises awareness for mental health and well-being through a programme of wellness, sensory activities and workshops.

The events are provided by HSE Cork & Kerry Community Health Action Zone and a number of community groups including SHINE, MyMind, GROW, Cork Counselling Services and Jigsaw.

PIETA, Samaritans, Shine A Light, Aware.ie and the National Learning Network will be at the event as part of the support hub, providing information throughout the afternoon.

In addition are the Couch sessions, hosted by Minding Creative Minds. The group is Ireland’s first free and confidential 24/7 wellbeing support programme for everyone working in the Irish Creative Sector.

With the title 'Broaden Your horizon As A Creative' and moderated by Cork’s own Mary Crilly of Safe Gigs, the sessions will see various Irish creatives talking about their own careers including Dublin poet, Stephen James Smith, comedian and radio presenter Laura O’Mahony, Dundalk musician Sophie Coyle and more.

More information is available on the festival’s website.